RIVERSIDE, Calif., Jan. 3, 2018 /Standard Newswire/ — Steve McQueen’s name is synonymous with the word “cool,” and for many years the iconic actor who starred in films such as Bullitt, The Magnificent Seven and The Great Escape, was the highest-paid star in Hollywood. However, few people knew that late in his life McQueen began a spiritual journey that led to his embrace of the Christian faith. McQueen’s little-known story unfolds in Steve McQueen: American Icon, coming to DVD and Digital HD on February 20, 2018 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

In addition to the 110-minute documentary, Steve McQueen: American Icon DVD and digital bonus features include extended interviews with Mel Gibson and Barbara Minty McQueen, a special message from Pastor Greg Laurie, and an exclusive look at Steve McQueen’s famous 1968 Mustang GT from the movie Bullitt.

Film Synopsis
Steve McQueen is one of America’s most endearing and intriguing movie stars. On the surface McQueen had everything he could want – fame, cars, homes, and more money than he could spend in a lifetime. Follow an avid fan of the actor, Pastor Greg Laurie, as he hits the road in his mint Mustang (a replica of McQueen’s car in the classic film Bullitt), traveling the country in search of the true, untold story of McQueen’s redemption-filled final chapters. Discover this amazing, true faith journey narrated by Gary Sinise.

Steve McQueen: American Icon will be available on DVD and Digital.

DVD offers the flexibility and convenience of playing movies in more places, both at home and away.

Movies Anywhere is the digital app that simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-rayTM and DVD disc packages from participating studios and stream or download them through Movies Anywhere. MOVIES ANYWHERE is only available in the United States. For more information, visit moviesanywhere.com.

BONUS FEATURES on DVD & DIGITAL HD:

Extended interviews with Mel Gibson and Barbara Minty McQueen

A special message from Pastor Greg Laurie

Discovery of the Bullitt – A behind the scenes look at the original car made famous by McQueen’s movie Bullitt

About Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE – www.uphe.com) is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios. Universal Studios is a part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

WHAT:
An inspiring documentary on the life of Steve McQueen, who achieved worldwide fame and fortune as the highest-paid actor of his era in Hollywood and the very definition of “cool,” yet late in life quietly embarked on a spiritual journey that led him to Christian faith.

WHEN:
A Fathom Events presentation from American Icon Films LLC on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, at 7 p.m. local time; special encore presentation Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. local time and Thursday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. local time. October 10 tickets available now, and October 19 tickets available soon.

WHO:Hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, with 15,000 people in attendance weekly, and founder of Harvest Crusades.

Narrated by Oscar® nominee and Emmy® winner Gary Sinise.

Directed by Jon Erwin and Ben Smallbone.

“As one of the top box office draws of the 1960s and 70s, Steve McQueen is truly an American icon,” Fathom Events CEO Ray Nutt said. “We are proud to help bring his inspirational life story to the big screen for the first time this fall.”

SYNOPSIS:
STEVE MCQUEEN: AMERICAN ICON explores the life of one of America’s most enduring and intriguing movie stars. This inspiring story of redemption chronicles Steve’s exodus from the world of fame and fortune and his little-known search for meaning, truth and significance. The documentary unfolds as a gripping search for the untold story of McQueen’s final chapter, and the redemption he found in the skies above Santa Paula, California, as he learned to fly a single-engine, yellow bi-plane.

In his mint replica of McQueen’s classic Ford Mustang from the film BULLITT, Greg Laurie—one of America’s best-known pastors—leads audiences on the adventure. An avid, lifelong McQueen fan, Laurie also experienced a troubled childhood similar to the actor known as “The King of Cool”.

The film goes deep into McQueen’s life through in-depth interviews with his wife, model Barbara Minty McQueen, and features never-before-seen candid photographs she took of Steve in his last years. Other interviews include Academy Award-winning actor Mel Gibson, renown stuntman Stan Barrett, celebrated McQueen biographer Marshall Terrill, actors Barbara Leigh and Mel Novak, as well as the pilots who taught Steve to fly.

NEWS HOOKS:THE KING OF COOL DID WHAT?He was “The King of Cool” and among the highest-paid actors of his era in Hollywood. But late in life, Steve McQueen embarked on a little-known spiritual journey that led him to faith in Jesus Christ. Ask Pastor Greg Laurie why McQueen’s unlikely final chapter is hardly known.

WHERE IS BILLY GRAHAM’S BIBLE?Use that bit of trivia to stump friends over dinner. Billy Graham befriended Steve McQueen as the world-renowned actor came to faith. Graham gave his personal Bible to McQueen, and Steve’s wife, Barbara Minty McQueen, has it now.

WAIT . . . GREG LAURIE DRIVES A MINT REPLICA OF MCQUEEN’S FORD MUSTANG FROM ‘BULLITT’?The founder and pastor of the 15,000-member Harvest Christian Fellowship, like McQueen, also grew up a lonely outsider. Laurie changed his life trajectory with faith in Christ as a teenager, and he felt an affinity for McQueen and stayed an avid fan. Greg drives a mint replica of the classic Ford Mustang from the film BULLITT. Ask Greg how a pastor identifies so closely with an actor’s painful past.

About American Icon Films, LLCAmerican Icon Films is a joint venture between Greg Laurie of Harvest Ministries and Erwin Brothers Entertainment. Greg Laurie serves as the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, one of the largest churches in America; is the author of more than 70 books; is the creator of three feature films; hosts the nationally syndicated radio broadcast A New Beginning; and is the founder of Harvest Crusades, a large-scale evangelistic ministry attended by more than 7.6 million people worldwide, both in-person and in stadiums and arenas across the world. Brothers Jon and Andrew Erwin make up Erwin Brothers Entertainment, best known for WOODLAWN, MOMS’ NIGHT OUT, OCTOBER BABY and the upcoming release I CAN ONLY IMAGINE (2018).

About Fathom EventsFathom Events is recognized as the leading domestic distributor of event cinema and ranks as one of the largest overall distributors of content to movie theaters. Fathom Events’ live digital broadcast network is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live and pre-recorded events to 897 locations and 1,387 screens in 181 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com.

STEVE MCQUEEN: AMERICAN ICON

Media Tip Sheet
Facts—Bio—News Hooks
SteveMcQueenMovie.com

TITLE – STEVE MCQUEEN: AMERICAN ICON

SYNOPSIS – STEVE MCQUEEN: AMERICAN ICON explores the life of one of America’s most enduring and intriguing movie stars. This inspiring story of redemption chronicles Steve’s exodus from the world of fame and fortune and his little-known search for meaning, truth and significance. The documentary unfolds as a gripping search for the untold story of McQueen’s final chapter, and the redemption he found in the skies above Santa Paula, California, as he learned to fly a single-engine, yellow bi-plane.

In his mint replica of McQueen’s classic Ford Mustang from the film BULLITT, Greg Laurie—one of America’s best-known pastors—leads audiences on the adventure. An avid, lifelong McQueen fan, Laurie experienced a troubled childhood similar to that of the actor known as “The King of Cool.”

STEVE MCQUEEN: AMERICAN ICON dives into McQueen’s life through in-depth interviews with his wife, model Barbara Minty McQueen, debuting candid photographs she took of Steve in his last years. Other interviews include Academy Awardâ-winning actor Mel Gibson, renowned stuntman Stan Barrett, celebrated McQueen biographer Marshall Terrill, actors Barbara Leigh and Mel Novak, as well as the pilots who taught Steve to fly.

PRODUCTION – American Icon Films LLC

DISTRIBUTION – Fathom Events

RELEASE – One Night: Thursday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m. local time

DIRECTORS – Jon and Andrew Erwin

HOSTED BY – Greg Laurie

BONUS CONTENT

Message from Greg Laurie

Special performance by MercyMe

RUN TIME – 110 minutes, plus bonus content

NEWS HOOKS – THE KING OF COOL DID WHAT?

He was “The King of Cool” and among the highest-paid actors of his era in Hollywood. But late in life, Steve McQueen embarked on a little-known spiritual journey that led him to faith in Jesus Christ. Ask Pastor Greg Laurie why McQueen’s unlikely final chapter is hardly known.

WHERE IS BILLY GRAHAM’S BIBLE?

Use that bit of trivia to stump friends over dinner. Billy Graham befriended Steve McQueen as the world-renowned actor came to faith. Graham gave his personal Bible to McQueen, and Steve’s wife, Barbara Minty McQueen, has it now.

The founder and pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, with 15,000 people in attendance weekly, like McQueen, also grew up a lonely outsider. Laurie changed his life trajectory with faith in Christ as a teenager, and he felt an affinity for McQueen and stayed an avid fan. Greg drives a mint replica of the classic Ford Mustang from the film BULLITT. Ask Greg how a pastor identifies so closely with an actor’s painful past.

BIO – GREG LAURIE is senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, one of the nation’s Largest churches, with campuses in California and Hawaii. In 1990, Laurie began the large-scale public evangelistic event known as Harvest Crusades. Personal attendance and live webcast views for these events now exceed 7.6 million. In 2013, Laurie was honorary chair of the National Day of Prayer; he serves on the board of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. His nationally syndicated radio program, A New Beginning, airs on 800-plus radio outlets worldwide; he also has a weekly television program.

Laurie’s 70-plus books include Live Love Fight, Tell Someone, Greatest Stories Ever Told, Hope for Hurting Hearts, As It Is in Heaven and his autobiography, Lost Boy. The accompanying documentary film, Lost Boy: The Next Chapter, won eight awards at international film festivals. His 2013 film Hope for Hurting Hearts features his story of trusting God through tragedy.

Greg and Cathe Laurie have two sons, Christopher and Jonathan. Christopher went to be with the Lord in 2008. Greg and Cathe also have five grandchildren.

Pastor Greg Laurie serves as the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, one of the largest churches in America; is the author of more than 70 books; is the creator of 3 feature films; hosts the nationally syndicated radio broadcast, A New Beginning; and is the founder of Harvest Crusades, a large-scale evangelistic ministry attended by more than 7.6 people worldwide, both in-person in stadiums & arenas across the U.S., Canada, Australia & New Zealand, and via live satellite broadcasts.

About Fathom Events

Fathom Events is recognized as the leading domestic distributor of event cinema and ranks as one of the largest overall distributors of content to movie theaters. Fathom Events’ live digital broadcast network is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live and pre-recorded events to 897 locations and 1,387 screens in 181 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com.

More Than 92,000 Attendees Turn Out for Weekend Harvest Crusade at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Another 46,000 Attend Online

RIVERSIDE, Calif., August 21, 2017 — During a week when the nation struggled to make sense of the hatred and violence perpetrated by white nationalists in Charlottesville, Virginia, more than 92,000 people gathered at Angel Stadium of Anaheim this past weekend, Aug. 18 – 20, to hear a message of hope and unity in Christ presented by Pastor Greg Laurie at his annual Southern California Harvest Crusade outreach. Another 46,972 attended the Crusade via a live internet broadcast.

Now in its 28th year, the 2017 SoCal Harvest featured a nightly message from Laurie about the hope that can be found in a relationship with Christ, and his Friday night talk titled “A Second Chance for America” gave mention to current events. The Los Angeles Times (Aug. 19, 2017) wrote, “Laurie began his evening – the highlight of the event – by addressing the racial and political division that’s troubled the nation this week. He spoke about the tensions of the 1960s and his own troubled past, doing drugs and being ‘filled with hate.”

During his message Laurie said, “Our country is divided. For a follower of Jesus Christ, there is no place for racism, bigotry or prejudice of any kind. I see these people carrying crosses, wearing swastikas, talking about white supremacy. There is no superior race. We are all part of the human race.”

Laurie was joined throughout the weekend by top Christian music artists including Crowder, Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist Lecrae, Jeremy Camp,American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, Andy Mineo, American Idol finalist Danny Gokey, NBC’s The Voice finalist Brennley Brown, and worship leader Phil Wickham. Lecrae encouraged the audience by saying, “There are people from all over the map here, but you are all beautiful to me…you’re a picture of God’s creation. If somebody sees you as invisible, it’s only because their vision is limited, not your own.”

At the heart of each of Laurie’s messages during the 2017 SoCal Harvest was an invitation for those in attendance to begin a relationship with Jesus Christ. “Deep down inside you’re longing for God, you’re longing for peace, for the forgiveness of sin,” said Laurie to the crowds gathered at Angel Stadium. “God holds the missing peace for you tonight, but you must come to Him and believe. You’re a sinner, but the good news is that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins and paid the price for you.”

By the end of the three-night outreach, 10,071 people made decisions of faith, including those in attendance at Angel Stadium and those viewing the live SoCal Harvest program online.

The Sunday evening program concluded with a time of prayer for the nation, followed by a fireworks display over the stadium as Brennley Brown sang, “God Bless America” and was then joined onstage for music by Phil Wickham, Jordin Sparks, and Danny Gokey.

Also featured at the 2017 SoCal Harvest was Steve McQueen’s “lost” stunt car from the 1968 Hollywood classic, Bullitt, which was on display Saturday. The 1968 Ford Mustang—one of two stunt cars driven by Steve McQueen in the famous film—had been lost for nearly 50 years until it was recently discovered in Mexico, and holds particular interest for Laurie, who recently completed a book and a movie about the spiritual life of the iconic actor who died in 1980 from malignant mesothelioma at the age of 50. The movie, Steve McQueen: American Icon, will be shown in theaters nationwide on Sept. 28, 2017 as a one-night Fathom event.

All nights of the 2017 SoCal Harvest were broadcast online, and 46,972 people watched live from 49 countries and in all 50 states. In addition, 209,000 unique views of the Harvest Crusade were reported on Facebook Live. The 2017 SoCal Harvest is archived and available for viewing at www.harvest.org.

Harvest Crusades with Greg Laurie will hold its next stadium event June 10, 2018 when it brings Harvest America back to the Dallas Metroplex.

In addition to founding the Harvest Crusades, Laurie also serves as senior pastor of one of the largest churches in America, Harvest Christian Fellowship, which has campuses in Riverside and Irvine, California, and Maui, Hawaii. He serves on the board of directors for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Steve McQueen’s “lost” stunt car from the movie Bullitt will be on display at the 2017 SoCal Harvest taking place this weekend at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The 1968 Ford Mustang—one of two stunt cars driven by Steve McQueen in Bullitt—had been lost for nearly 50 years until it was recently discovered in Mexico, and holds particular interest for Laurie, who recently completed a book and a movie about the spiritual life of iconic actor Steve McQueen. The Bullitt car will be on display under the helmets at Angel Stadium on Saturday, August 19 and Sunday, August 20 before and after the Harvest Crusade, and will tie-in to Laurie’s mention of McQueen’s story during his Saturday night message as he talks about the about the hope that is available to everyone through Christ, regardless of race, background, or walk of life.

Local pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie will bring his annual Harvest Crusade outreach back to Southern California for the 28th year running this weekend, August 18 – 20. The 2017 SoCal Harvest will feature a nightly message of hope from Laurie and music from top Christian artists including Crowder, Grammy Award-winning hip hop artist Lecrae, Jeremy Camp,American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, Andy Mineo, American Idol finalist Danny Gokey, NBC’s The Voice finalist Brennley Brown, and worship leader Phil Wickham (artists vary by night). The Sunday evening SoCal Harvest program will conclude with a fireworks display.

Media credentials for the SoCal Harvest may be obtained by presenting company identification at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on the field level near the third base dugout (enter the stadium at Gate 2). Media check-in begins at 4 p.m. each afternoon.

Media coverage opportunities are available before and during the SoCal Harvest and are listed below. For more information, contact Laura McGowan at (847) 347-5206 or at laura@lauramcgowan.com.

The SoCal Harvest will conclude with a fireworks display over Angel Stadium on Sunday, August 20.

The 2017 SoCal Harvest begins at 7 p.m. each evening, August 18 – August 20 (gates open at 5 p.m.) and is completely free of charge. Angel Stadium charges $15 for car parking and $30 for bus parking. Each night of the event will be interpreted in Spanish and signing for the deaf will be provided.

All three nights of the 2017 SoCal Harvest will be broadcast live via the Internet at harvest.org and daily blog accounts of the crusade will also be made available. Updates about the Harvest outreach will be posted on Facebook (www.facebook.com/harvestcrusades), Instagram (harvestcrusades or search #HarvestSoCal) and Twitter (@harvest_events).

MEDIA NOTE: To arrange an interview with a Harvest Crusade representative, contact Laura McGowan at (847) 347-5206 or at laura@lauramcgowan.com. For more information or photos, visit the Harvest Newsroom at www.harvest.org/newsroom.

2017 SoCal Harvest Will Return to Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Aug. 18 – 20, Featuring a Nightly Message from Laurie and Music from Top Christian Artists Including Lecrae, Jordin Sparks, Danny Gokey, Brennley Brown and More—All Free of Charge

Laurie’s messages go straight to the heart of the questions front and center in the minds of all people:

Why am I here?

Is this all there is?

How can I start over?

Is God real?

What happens when I die?

After nearly three decades of large-scale evangelism, Laurie remains passionate about conveying to audiences locally and around the world the eternal hope that is found through a relationship with Christ. He knows what it’s like to be in desperate need of hope. Like many who came of age in the 1960s, Greg Laurie was on a search for the meaning of life. Born out of wedlock to an alcoholic who went on to marry seven times, Greg started drinking, partying, and taking drugs to escape the insecurity and dysfunction of his family. But his life was suddenly changed when he encountered a group of young Christians on his high school campus in Newport Beach, California. As Laurie notes, “We may lose sight of God, but He never loses sight of us.” Today, after nearly 30 years of holding Crusades in Southern California, he is living proof that “God’s plans for us are better than any plans we have for ourselves.”

According to Laurie, the need for evangelism is more important than ever before. “Despite the divisions and distractions dividing our nation and disorienting our culture, I believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ remains the hope of the world and is more needed in our nation now than at almost any other point in our history,” he said.

That’s why this year’s Crusade is preceded by an ambitious evangelism training program in the weeks preceding the SoCal Harvest. As Laurie notes, “Jesus did not say that the whole world should go to church. He said that the church should go to the whole world.” Laurie’s Tell Someone Events are a series of rallies held across Orange County, the Inland Empire, and Los Angeles designed to provide tools and training for people interested in sharing their faith with others. This year, as many as 10,000 people are expected to go through the training at area churches, July 26 – August 3.

The 2017 SoCal Harvest comes on the heels of Harvest’s largest outreach to date—a one-night event held on June 11 called Harvest America, which drew a combined audience of nearly 945,000 people. A crowd of 38,000 packed the University of Phoenix Stadium to listen to Greg Laurie in person, while another 907,000 — from coast to coast and around the world — watched or listened to the simulcast via the web, Trinity Broadcasting Network, the 3,700 plus HarvestAmerica.com host sites, and on Facebook Live.

The 2017 SoCal Harvest begins at 7 p.m. each evening (gates open at 5 p.m.) and is free of charge. Angel Stadium of Anaheim charges $15 for parking fees for cars and $30 for buses. Each night the event will be interpreted in Spanish and signing for the deaf will be provided.

Founded in 1990 by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside and Irvine, Calif., and Maui, Hawaii, Harvest Crusade events have been attended by more than 7.8 million people worldwide, both in-person and via live Internet broadcasts. He serves on the board of directors for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Greg Laurie’s Harvest America Impacted Nearly 945,000 Worldwide with Message of God’s Good News, on a Single Night

38,000 packed the University of Phoenix Stadium to listen to Greg Laurie on June 11, while more than 660,000 joined live via the Trinity Broadcasting Network, 246,647 tuned in live through the webcast, the 3,700 plus HarvestAmerica.com host sites and on Facebook Live.

RIVERSIDE, Calif., June 23, 2017—Harvest America, led by Evangelist Greg Laurie at the University of Phoenix Stadium on June 11, impacted nearly 945,000 people worldwide with a message of God’s good news. An audience of 38,000 people from across the country packed the stadium, while more than 907,000 people in America and in 83 countries tuned in to the live broadcast of the event.

“Two thousand years ago, God sent His Son on a rescue operation to planet earth,” said Laurie to the assembled crowd in the University of Phoenix Stadium and those watching online.

“Jesus came to pay a debt He did not owe, because we owed a debt we could not pay. Jesus Himself said, ‘For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’ Christ died for you.”

At the end of the evening, 2,904 people walked down to the floor of the University of Phoenix Stadium to indicate their decision to follow Jesus Christ. It is estimated that 4,324 made commitments online or at host locations nationwide. An additional 310 made a profession of faith through outreach events in the Phoenix area the day before the event, bringing the total to 7,538 who put their faith in Jesus through Harvest America.

All who responded and requested spiritual help are being thoroughly and immediately followed up with by both local churches and by Harvest. Producing “lasting fruit” through the mechanism of the local church has always been at the heart of every Harvest evangelistic event.

Harvest Crusades with Greg Laurie will hold its next outreach, 2017 SoCal Harvest, at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, Aug. 18–20. On June 10, 2018, Harvest Crusades will take Harvest America back to the Dallas Metroplex.

In addition to founding the Harvest Crusades, Laurie also serves as senior pastor of one of the largest churches in America, Harvest Christian Fellowship, which has campuses in Riverside and Irvine, California, and Maui, Hawaii. He serves on the board of directors for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Pastor Greg Laurie is the author of more than 70 books; is the creator of 3 feature films; hosts the nationally syndicated radio broadcast, A New Beginning; and is the founder of Harvest Crusades, a large-scale evangelistic ministry attended by more than 7.7 people worldwide, both in-person in stadiums & arenas across the U.S., Canada, Australia & New Zealand, and via live satellite broadcasts.

A recap video of Harvest America and the impact of the event weekend is available here.

38,000 Stadium Attendees + 3,758 Live Simulcast Sites Bringing Together Tens of Thousands More + A Worldwide Television and Radio Broadcast + Thousands of Commitments of Faith = Unprecedented Weekend of Hope in Arizona

Glendale, Ariz., June 12, 2017 — Harvest America at the University of Phoenix Stadium on June 11 reached audiences across the country and around the world with a message of God’s love in what became the single largest event in the history of the organization.

Evangelist Greg Laurie took the stage Sunday evening in front of a live audience of 38,000 gathered in Glendale, Arizona, as well as even larger simulcast and broadcast audiences. Before the sun went down in the Valley of the Sun, the gathering had gone down as one of the largest one-day evangelistic events in American history.

“Earlier this year we proclaimed 2017 the ‘Year of Good News’ with the singular mission of bringing the gospel to as many people as possible,” said Greg Laurie, the founder of Harvest America who has been called “the evangelist of the future” by Billy Graham. “Our goal remains to deliver that message through as many channels as possible in order to reach all the way to the ends of the earth, and Harvest America 2017 demonstrated what’s possible in this new world.” Appearing on stage with evangelist Greg Laurie was Phoenix’s own American Idol Jordin Sparks, as well as popular Christian artists NEEDTOBREATHE, MercyMe, Trip Lee, Phil Wickham and NBC The Voice’s Brennley Brown.

In addition to the 38,000 people who attended the free Harvest America outreach at the University of Phoenix Stadium, millions around the world participated in Harvest America 2017 through a live broadcast via Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), which this year broadcast Harvest America live for the first time on its global family of networks which spans 174 countries; online streaming via www.HarvestAmerica.com and on World Net Daily; live radio broadcasts carried by more than 600 radio outlets; and live simulcasts to more than 3,758 host locations across the U.S., including churches, homes, and theaters.

The online stream at www.HarvestAmerica.comwas viewed live in 83 countries around the world. The broadcast was additionally available on Facebook LIVE.

All who participated in Harvest America united behind one message, the eternal hope that can be found through a relationship with Jesus Christ, which was presented by Laurie during his talk which answered the question, “what is the meaning of life?” Referencing the story of the prodigal son, Laurie said, “Maybe you don’t know God or maybe, like the prodigal son, you know God but you’ve turned your back on Him. Maybe you have things that should make you happy, but don’t make you happy. What’s the answer? Jesus. The missing piece you are looking for is Jesus Christ, because he will give you the meaning in life that you want.”

Laurie continued, “If you decide to come back to God, He wants to throw his arms around you and say welcome home son, welcome home daughter, I’ve missed youâ€”just like father of prodigal son. The father ran to the son, and that’s what he will do if you come to Him. He accepted the son as he was, in tattered rags. You might think that you need to clean up your life before you come to God, but He says come as you are and he will forgive you, he will accept you, he will change you. You’re not too old or young.”

Laurie preached from one of Billy Graham’s bibles, a bible first given to the Hollywood icon Steve McQueen after his conversion. McQueen is the subject of Laurie’s latest book, Steve McQueen: The Salvation of an American Icon, which releases Tuesday, June 13.

Inviting those in Phoenix and those watching around the world to put their faith in Christ, Laurie urged, “One sin is enough to keep you out of heaven. Every one of us has sinned. God doesn’t grade on a curve, but that’s where Jesus comes in. You must recognize you are a sinner, but then you must recognize that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you. If you want your sins forgiven, if you want your guilt taken away, if you want to find meaning and purpose in your life, come forward. I’m going to ask you to get up out of your seats and make a stand for Jesus Christ.”

At the end of the evening, thousands of people walked down to the floor of the University of Phoenix Stadium to indicate their decision to follow Jesus Christ, and thousands more registered their commitment online or at host locations nationwide.

More than 420 local churches and up to 10,000 volunteers participated in Harvest America 2017, many of whom are members of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), which is gathering in Phoenix for its annual convention this week. The SBC and its North American Missions Board (NAMB) collaborated with Harvest America to make the outreach its 29th annual Crossover evangelism event. Crossover support included local community service, street evangelism, and a “Tell Someone” rally held Friday night.

“We are unbelievably grateful for the support of local churches throughout the Valley of the Sun, the Southern Baptist Convention, the North American Mission Board, and especially for Kevin Ezell who saw what we envisioned from the beginning,” said Laurie. “Together, we all worked to bring the Gospel to this community and to bring it from this community throughout the world.”

Before Harvest America 2017, Greg Laurie’s Harvest events had drawn more than 5.7 million people to stadiums and arenas around the world since 1990, with another 1.8 million people attending virtually via the internet.

Harvest Crusades with Greg Laurie will hold its next outreach, 2017 SoCal Harvest, at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, Aug. 18 – 20. On June 10, 2018, Harvest Crusades will take Harvest America back to the Dallas Metroplex.

In addition to founding the Harvest Crusades, Laurie also serves as senior pastor of one of the largest churches in America, Harvest Christian Fellowship, which has campuses in Riverside and Irvine, California, and Maui, Hawaii. He serves on the board of directors for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Greg Laurie’s Harvest America Outreach To Deliver Hope To Arizona, The Nation, And The World—In One Night

RIVERSIDE, Calif., June 5, 2017 — When world-renowned evangelist Greg Laurie takes the stage at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Arizona this Sunday, a life-changing message of hope will go global. Harvest America 2017, an unprecedented, one-day evangelistic outreach, will bring the love of Christ “live” to hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

“Just before He returned to Heaven, Jesus instructed His disciples to take His Gospel message to the ends of the earth,” said Greg Laurie, founder of the Harvest America outreach which will be broadcast live via satellite Sunday, June 11, at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET from the University of Phoenix Stadium (pre-concert begins at 4:30 p.m. PT). “With state-of-the art technology and the help of our partners, TBN and the Southern Baptist Convention, we are responding to Christ’s challenge with a one-night, global outreach unlike anything done before,” added Laurie, who has been called “the evangelist of the future” by Billy Graham and has been leading Harvest events for more than a quarter century.

Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN)—Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN)—Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will broadcast Harvest America live for the first time on its global family of networks, which spans 174 countries and has a potential reach of 1 billion people.

Online, live streaming at www.HarvestAmerica.com and on World Net Daily.

Live radio broadcasts by more than 600 outlets.

Live simulcast to thousands of host locations across the U.S., including churches, homes, and theaters.

While technology will be used to reach a national and international audience, hands and feet will be at work reaching those in the Phoenix area. Thousands of volunteers from the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting, which will take place in Phoenix just after Harvest America, will serve in various capacities to engage and interact with attendees and the wider community before, during and after the one-night event.

In addition to the message of hope delivered by Laurie, Harvest America will feature music from top name Christian artists including NEEDTOBREATHE, MercyMe, Jordin Sparks, Trip Lee, Phil Wickham and Brennley Brown. Harvest America is free to attend and open to all who come—in person, online, or via the live satellite broadcast.

Founded in 1990 by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside and Irvine, Calif., and Maui, Hawaii, Harvest Crusade events have been attended by more than 7.6 million people worldwide, both in-person and via live Internet broadcasts. In 2012, a new nationwide simulcast called Harvest America was born, expanding the reach of the gospel even further. The 2016 Harvest America event, held at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, was live streamed to more than 7,200 remote host locations and drew a combined 357,000 participants, making it the largest one-day live evangelistic event in American history.

As Many As 10,000 Volunteers To Converge On Phoenix Area For Harvest America Outreach At University Of Phoenix Stadium

Volunteers from Arizona and Across the U.S. to Participate in Community Outreach on June 10, and at Harvest America at University of Phoenix Stadium on June 11

RIVERSIDE, Calif., June 7, 2017—As many as 10,000 volunteers from Arizona and across the U.S. are expected to converge on Phoenix next weekend in conjunction with the upcoming Harvest America outreach that will take place at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on Sunday, June 11.

More than 1,000 of the volunteers will hit the streets in neighborhoods across the Valley on Saturday, June 10, to serve area residents through community work projects which include restoring and repairing rundown buildings and handing out food and clothing to those in need in and around Phoenix area neighborhoods. Thousands more are expected to gather in teams to distribute upwards of 800,000 invitations to Harvest America in area malls, parks, and other public areas, sharing the same message of hope that will be delivered at the stadium on Sunday by Pastor Greg Laurie.

In addition to the “street teams,” another 5,000 people will volunteer as ushers, greeters, stage set-up crew, and follow-up workers at the University of Phoenix Stadium for the Sunday Harvest America outreach.

“I decided to volunteer at Harvest America because I’ve attended Harvest events in the past and the power of God is indescribable in that arena,” said Buckeye resident Mike Nassar, a first time volunteer who will be supervising a team at the stadium. “My faith was strengthened and I want others to experience the same.”

Yorba Linda, Calif. resident Shea Forbes will travel 350 miles to volunteer in Phoenix after serving as a greeter at Harvest America in Dallas in 2016. “Wherever you are serving, you are connecting with someone who might need to hear a message of hope. It’s so cool to see people coming together for one reason—to share the Gospel message of Christ,” she said.

Harvest America is a free nationwide event that will be simulcast live from the University of Phoenix Stadium to thousands of host locations across the U.S. Designed to impact a nation desperately in need of hope, Harvest America will feature a Gospel presentation from pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie, who has been called the â€œevangelist of the futureâ€ by Billy Graham. Laurieâ€™s talks encompass topics that appeal to people of any age and answer questions like: Why am I here? Is God real? What happens when I die?

In addition to Laurie, Harvest America will feature music from top name Christian artists including NEEDTOBREATHE, MercyMe, Jordin Sparks, Trip Lee, Phil Wickham and Brennley Brown.

Harvest America 2017 begins at 5 p.m. (pre-concert begins at 4:30 p.m.) on Sunday, June 11 (doors open at 2 p.m.), and is completely free of charge. The University of Phoenix Stadium (1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale, Arizona) charges $10 for car parking and $20 for bus parking. Harvest America will be interpreted in Spanish and signing for the deaf will be provided.

Harvest America 2017 will be broadcast live on the Internet at www.HarvestAmerica.com, and “behind the scenes” updates about Harvest America 2017 will be posted on Facebook (www.facebook.com/harvestamerica), Twitter (@HarvestAmerica), and Instagram (harvestamerica or search #HarvestAmerica). Additionally, this year Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will broadcast Harvest America live for the first time on its global family of networks which spans 174 countries and has a potential reach of 1 billion people.

Founded in 1990 by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside and Irvine, Calif., and Maui, Hawaii, Harvest Crusade events have been attended by more than 7.6 million people worldwide, both in-person and via live Internet broadcasts. In 2012, a new nationwide simulcast called Harvest America was born, expanding the reach of the gospel even further. The 2016 Harvest America event, held at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, was live streamed to more than 7,200 remote host locations and drew a combined 357,000 participants, making it the largest one-day live evangelistic event in American history.